What it is
Tirzepatide is a synthetic 39-amino-acid peptide that activates both the GIP and the GLP-1 receptor, so it is described as a dual incretin receptor agonist. It is not a GLP-2 agonist. It is one of the most heavily trialled compounds in obesity and type 2 diabetes research, with completed Phase 3 programmes.
How it works
It engages the GLP-1 receptor and the GIP receptor, pathways studied for insulin secretion, gastric emptying, and appetite signalling. The added contribution of the GIP arm to weight reduction is still debated in the literature.
Regulatory status
- Cosmetic ingredient
- Research compound
- In clinical trials
- Approved medicine
Approved as a medicine by the FDA or the EMA for at least one indication. Approval covers the named indication and formulation only.
What published research is studying
- Weight reduction in adults with obesity or overweight without diabetes (Phase 3)
- Weight reduction in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes (Phase 3)
- Glycaemic control compared with semaglutide in type 2 diabetes (Phase 3)
- Tolerability, discontinuation, and hypoglycaemia rates across doses
Key findings
In the 72-week Phase 3 SURMOUNT-1 trial in 2,539 adults without diabetes, mean weight change was 20.9% at the 15 mg dose, against 3.1% with placebo.
Jastreboff AM et al., N Engl J Med 2022In that same trial, 57% of the 15 mg group reached a weight reduction of 20% or more, compared with 3% on placebo.
Jastreboff AM et al., N Engl J Med 2022In a 40-week open-label Phase 3 trial in 1,879 adults with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c fell 2.30% at 15 mg, against 1.86% with semaglutide 1 mg.
Frias JP et al., N Engl J Med 2021In the 72-week SURMOUNT-2 trial in 938 adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, mean weight change was 14.7% at 15 mg, against 3.2% with placebo.
Garvey WT et al., Lancet 2023
What the studies measured
Study durations
- Phase 3 obesity trial: 72 weeks, including a 20-week dose-escalation period (NCT04184622).
- Phase 3 comparison against semaglutide in type 2 diabetes: 40 weeks (NCT03987919).
- Phase 3 trial in obesity with type 2 diabetes: 72 weeks (NCT04657003).
Endpoints
- Percent change in body weight from baseline
- Proportion reaching 5% or 20% weight reduction
- Change in HbA1c from baseline
- Discontinuation due to adverse events
- Hypoglycaemia and gastrointestinal adverse event rates
How strong is the evidence?
Human evidence is extensive, with several large randomised Phase 3 trials published in peer-reviewed journals and long dosing periods.
Common questions
Is Tirzepatide an approved medicine?
Approved medicine. Approved as a medicine by the FDA or the EMA for at least one indication. Approval covers the named indication and formulation only.
How much human research is there on Tirzepatide?
Human evidence is extensive, with several large randomised Phase 3 trials published in peer-reviewed journals and long dosing periods.
Does UU supply Tirzepatide?
Yes, as premium-grade research material for laboratory use. Every batch is tested by an independent lab and the certificate of analysis is published.